The Soccer Pages

 
 Slovenia: Forward Zlatko Zahovic (#10) was sent home soon after the WC begun, in the aftermath of offenses and aggression against the Team's Coach (Trainer). FIFA did not allow a requested replacement to be called in, as it was not a case of injury.
 
 Brazil: Midfielder Ricardinho (#7) arrived in Korea after the World Cup had begun, to replace Emerson (Midfielder + Captain) who suffered a dislocated shoulder the day before Brazil's first match. Defender Cafu (#2) took over the function as Captain of the Team.
 
 Sweden: Defender + Captain Patrik Andersson (#3) suffered a muscle strain in training, before the opening match. At the close of the 1st.Round, he was to be sent home, as he wouldn't recover in time to play any of the remaining matches.
 
 Germany: Midfielder Jorg Bohme (#18) had to go at the close of the First Round, because of a leg muscle injury that wouldn't heal in time for him to play again.
 
 U.S.A.: At the close of the First Round, defender Jeff Agoos (#12) was ruled out of the remaining matches, because of a thigh problem.
 
 Denmark: following the frustrating Danish World Cup exit, after having had the fourth best campaign overall, four players have announced their retirement from international soccer. They are Midfielders Stig Tofting (#2) and Brian Steen Nielsen (#23), Defender and Captain Jan Heintze (#5), and Goalkeeper Peter Kjær (#16).
 
 Sweden: likewise, Forward Henrik Larsson (#11), who scored his 24^th goal for Sweden during the match against Senegal, announced that he is retiring from international soccer, following the Swedish defeat and World Cup exit. (Senegal won on Golden Goal.)
 

 Portugal: João Pinto and Fernando Couto risk being punished by FIFA for incidents after the former player was given a red card in the match against S.Korea.
On June 19, a hearing with be held with referee Angel Sanchez, after which FIFA is to decide on the applicability or not of punitive measures.
João Pinto is reported to have punched the referee in the stomach, while Fernando Couto to have held the referee by the face. The players, in turn, allege that they went after the referee at half-time only to apologize to him.
Should they face punishment, this could mean suspensions for up to a year, in which case they would miss the opening matches of Euro 2004 (to be held in Portugal).
 
June 18: João Pinto has been provisionally suspended from all match action by FIFA's disciplinary committee. Although elucidating comments were declined on it, FIFA is known to have gotten hold of a videotape that is reportedly significantly revealing in regard to the current issue involving the Portuguese player João Pinto. FIFA's disciplinary body has also held their planned hearing with the referee Angel Sanchez. It was after this hearing and the examination of the cited video evidence that the disciplinary committee handed out the provisional suspension. Given the serious nature of the offence of which the player is accused, FIFA's disciplinary body will be examining additional information that has been requested, before the body issues a final sentence.
No reference to the other Portuguese player at stake, Fernando Couto, has appeared in the soccer media so far.
 
 Germany: the Team will play their next match (against the U.S.A.) wearing black armbands, in tribute to German legend and World Champion Fritz Walter, who passed away on Monday, June 17.
 
 Spain: Captain and Defender Fernando Hierro (#6) has announced his retirement from international soccer at the end of the current World Cup, regardless of the result.
 
 Brazil: Although Brazil was not initially thought to have fallen into an extremely challenging Group for the First Round of the current World Cup, this idea may need reconsideration: only Group C (Brazil's) and Group D produced two qualifiers, each, for the last eight:  Turkey and  Brazil, and  South Korea and  the U.S.A., respectively. Should they all make it through the Quarter-Finals, the Squads from each of these two Groups (C and D) are actually to meet again in the Semi-Finals.
 
 South Korea and  the U.S.A.: It is noteworthy to remark that, whereas  Turkey and  Brazil were logically expected to emerge from their Group into the Round of Sixteen, both  South Korea and  the U.S.A. were the underdogs (View their Group). Now both countries are among the best eight, in the Quarter-Finals! Quite remarkable – especially S.Korea's victory over the experienced Italian Squad! Will they manage to qualify for the Final Match in Japan, to fulfill the secret dream of every South Korean, since it was established that Japan would hold the honor of hosting the Final Match?!...
 
 Turkey: officials have named two bridges in honor of Forward Hasan Gokhan Sas (#9) and Midfielder Umit Davala (#22), as a result of the Squad's having reached the Quarter-Finals for the first time ever.
 
 Spain: the penalty kicks that Goalkeeper Iker Casillas defended in the Spanish victory against the Republic of Ireland have earned a singular honor – officials will name a street after him.
 
 South Korea: South Korean's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink has been awarded free first class air travel for four years by Korean Air, as a token of recognition for his work in taking the Team to the Quarter-Finals!
Additionally, every Team player and coaching staff member (in a total of 26, altogether) have been given four round-trip business class tickets.